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Number the Stars
Number the Stars
Author: Lois Lowry
Ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen and her best friend Ellen Rosen often think of life before the war. It's now 1943 and their life in Copenhagen is filled with school, food shortages, and the Nazi soldiers marching through town. When the Jews of Denmark are "relocated," Ellen moves in with the Johansens and pretends to be one of the ...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780440227533
ISBN-10: 0440227534
Publication Date: 2/9/1998
Pages: 144
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Rating:
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 286

4.1 stars, based on 286 ratings
Publisher: Laurel Leaf
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

babyjulie avatar reviewed Number the Stars on + 336 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
The most age appropriate book about this subject I've seen so far. I read almost anything I can find on the Holocaust, all parts of it, whether it's academic, YA, anything and most of the "YA" I've read so far isn't what I'd give my daughter until she's an older teenager/young adult.
Even though this is fiction it's based on a true story and I love that Lowry adds at the end what is real and what's not. I also love how she touches on a part of the Holocaust that isn't written about for the most part.
Bonnie avatar reviewed Number the Stars on + 422 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
My grandmother gave me this book. I am 8 years old, and she and I both loved this book.
Judyh avatar reviewed Number the Stars on + 229 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Wonderful story for adults and kids to read together -- it tells the story of the courage of the Danish people during the Nazi era.
reviewed Number the Stars on + 13 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
In this book for youth, a "Gentile" family is faced with a hard reality during World War II. This reality is that the German occupiers do not want the Jewish people to thrive or to even survive. This causes a crisis for the family, because they are dear friends with a small Jewish family.

The book is very sensitively written, yet it does express the conflicts that arose during World War II. I loved it and thought it was written in such a way that one could use this book as a place to teach children about the history of World War II without overwhelming details of horror.
writing-writer avatar reviewed Number the Stars on + 46 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Annemarie and her best friend Ellen, a Jewish girl, are not very afraid of the soldiers standing on the street corners. They have blended in, and they hardly remember life without them. However, their parents are terrified of them, and one night, Ellen and her family must hide. Ellen's parents disappear, and Ellen must pose as Annemarie's sister.
How long can Annemarie and her family fool the Nazis?

Simply told, Lois Lowry weaves yet another story for younger readers (though adults will enjoy it as well) that will keep them reading through the end.
My only complaint is the cover, which does not match the discription of any of the characters, and that I can only find this book in paperback. I have been looking for a long time (on other sites other than PaperBack Swap) and have not found it in hardcover, which is too bad because this book is worth it.
Don't let the fact that it's in paperback stop you from getting this book. Even though it is not directly a true story, it will give readers a taste of life during WWII.
Read All 59 Book Reviews of "Number the Stars"

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reviewed Number the Stars on + 5 more book reviews
Number the Stars is another book about World War II, about a Jewish family that goes into hiding. It is a good book if you are looking for fact mixed with fiction, and an ending to leave you guessing.
reviewed Number the Stars on
This book was a very good stories for both girls and boys. It gives a glimpse of what a true Christian should be. Also it give you a glimpse of what the Jewish people had to go through during the time of Hitler.
reviewed Number the Stars on + 4 more book reviews
one that all should read. it's rather incredible to walk through the story and know that you're only reading what so many lived through.
Chocoholic avatar reviewed Number the Stars on + 291 more book reviews
A Newberry-Award winning children's book about the realities of the Holocaust in Denmark, 1943. The story is told from the POV of a 10 year old girl whose best friend's family is Jewish. Though the story is fiction, the author's note at the end states that the story is equal parts nonfiction and fiction. An amazing, quick read about how far people will go to protect another.
reviewed Number the Stars on + 25 more book reviews
A must read for any student studying the Holocaust.
As an adult it had me from Page 1.
There were "upstanders" and the Danes were a shining example.
reviewed Number the Stars on + 2 more book reviews
Good historical fiction book. Both young kids and adults will enjoy.
reviewed Number the Stars on + 9 more book reviews
A wonderful book for all ages. My Mom and I read it and we both loved it! One of Lois Lowery's best work.
reviewed Number the Stars on + 4 more book reviews
I still remember reading this book as a child. Great read!

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